Virtually everyone professing to be a Christian will agree that Jesus died for our sins. Indeed, Jesus died for the sins of the whole world--every single one of them, no matter how "big" or "small" we might deem them to be. "For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God . . ." (1 Peter 3:18 NIV) "He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world." (1 John 2:2 NIV)

So why, then, do we often treat Jesus' supreme sacrifice so casually? Whether we realize it or not, each time we consciously and willingly choose to commit even a "small" sin, we trample underfoot Jesus and what He did for us.

Think about it. If a single unforgiven sin is bad enough to separate you from God and condemn you to an eternity in hell (and it is), then that sin was serious enough for Jesus to die for (and He did). And if you consciously and willingly commit that sin, then you are, in effect, ridiculing and minimizing Jesus and His sacrifice. Think of this the next time you are tempted to sin. Think of Jesus' sacrifice for you before you tell that "little white lie," accelerate your vehicle beyond the legal speed limit, say that hateful word to someone, etc. Jesus had to die in order to atone for every single sin you have committed or will commit.

While it's true that God is faithful to forgive all our sins when we are repentant and have met His requirements for salvation and it's also true that none of us are perfect enough to live completely sinlessly, it is also just as true that God expects us to live as holy lives as we possibly can. "Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 7:1 NIV)"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (Ephesians 1:4 NIV) "For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." (1 Thessalonians 4:7 NIV)There is absolutely no room for habitual, intentional sin in the life of a Christian. "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." (Romans 6:1-4 NIV) "But you know that he appeared so that he might take away our sins. And in him is no sin. No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him." (1 John 3:5-6 NIV)

We ought to strive to always remember Jesus and His sacrifice, giving Him the top place of honor in our lives. If we truly place Him first, knowingly committing any sin will be repulsive to us, because we will remember how dearly it cost our heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Remember, Jesus died for every single sin.